questions from a beginner

[nosaj13]

so i'm working on building my first htpc and have a few basic questions...

here's what i started with:


Processor
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ / 2.8 GHz
Multi-Core processor technology
Dual-Core
64-bit processor

Type
L2 cache

Mainboard

Chipset type
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 / nForce 430
Data bus speed
1000 MHz

RAM

Installed Size
3 GB
Technology
DDR II SDRAM
Memory specification compliance
PC2-5300



video card --Nvidia 8600GT

TV Tuner-- Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1600



Here's my situation: I'm running dual mode to my 17 inch monitor and s-video (component breakout) to my 57 inch Sony CRT HDTV. The problem i am having is I get quite a bit of tear on video playback and from waht I have gathered from posts in various forums, my problem is that the refresh rate on the HDTV is too low (most i can get is 60 HZ at 1280 x 720. Am i running at the correct resolution? is there a safe way to increase the refresh rate. I know about powerstrip, but am a little hesitant to use it for fear that I'll screw up my HDTV.

i have the feeling that my problem is using the s-video...my card has a DVI-I connection and i have a dvi-i to vga adapter.

Thanks

[tompa]

Hi!
have you tried 50Hz from your graphics? If running PAL 50Hz (including DVB-T) that could do the trick!

/tompa